Online Travel Agency

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of online travel agencies, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on the brands and their strategies, executives and positions in the market.

Flight Centre acquires Umapped
News / Technology
Flight Centre Travel Group acquires itinerary planning platform Umapped
By Mitra Sorrells | September 24, 2018
Umapped, a specialist in itinerary management, has been acquired by Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. Read More
Startup Stage FlyGRN
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: FlyGRN combines flight booking with automatic carbon offsetting
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2018
FlyGRN uses a portion of the commission it receives for flight bookings to support carbon offsetting projects, such as a solar panel initiative in India that displaces fossil fuels. Travelers receive a... Read More
Booking.com ODX blockchain internet marketplace
News / Technology
Booking.com will give data to consumers in emerging markets to access its site
By Mitra Sorrells | September 20, 2018
Booking.com has signed on to try a new blockchain-based data marketplace aimed at helping brands connect with users in emerging markets.   Read More
edreams-biometric-technology
News / Technology
eDreams trials biometric technology to help drive inspiration
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2018
Edreams Odigeo is employing eye-tracking as well as biometric scanning technology to help it improve the customer experience. Read More
Google plunges deeper into hotel search: It's all about rooms
News / Online
Google plunges deeper into hotel search: It's all about rooms
By Diego Varela - Mirai | September 19, 2018
Ever wondered how far search giant Google wants to take consumers in its quest to dominate the accommodation sector? More evidence is emerging... Read More
CruiseWire OTA one-way cruises
News / Distribution
New online booking site facilitates one-way cruise travel
By Mitra Sorrells | September 18, 2018
A new online travel agency focused on the cruise industry has a unique goal – to help travelers find and book one-way itineraries, in effect using cruise ships as the means of travel one from... Read More
tripadvisor plots social network
News / Online
TripAdvisor plots social network, goes all-in on personalization
By Jill Menze | September 18, 2018
TripAdvisor is betting big on social media with the launch of “the new TripAdvisor” - a revamp of the platform that allows users to connect with fellow travelers as well as brands, publishers and... Read More
certify-acquires-captio
News / Technology
Certify swoops on Captio to further grow expense management ambitions
By Linda Fox | September 18, 2018
Certify acquires Spain-based Captio, its second expansion through M&A in the space of three months during 2018. Read More
edreams-odigeo-AI
News / Technology
eDreams Odigeo taps AI to learn about customers and improve the experience
By Linda Fox | September 17, 2018
eDreams Odigeo talks up success of artificial intelligence to create a more personalized experience for travellers. Read More
TUI Group acquires tours and activities online agency Musement
News / Online
TUI Group acquires tours and activities online agency Musement
By Kevin May | September 14, 2018
Musement, one of Europe's modestly funded online travel agencies for tours and activities, is now part of the TUI Group. Read More
QOTW: Something about getting locked up
News / Online
QOTW: Something about getting locked up
By PhocusWire | September 14, 2018
Quote from Brad Young, vice president, associate general counsel, at TripAdvisor, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Inside the complicated world of cancellation fees and non-refundable bookings
Opinion / Online
Inside the complicated world of cancellation fees and non-refundable bookings
By Stefano Petrazzoli - Chargebacks911 | September 14, 2018
In this digital era, we’re used to booking our ticket, but often then have separate extras to consider, like choosing our seat, eating in-flight meals, hold luggage, among others. Read More
Are mainstream tour and activity operators welcome on Airbnb?
From Our Partners / Distribution
Are mainstream tour and activity operators welcome on Airbnb?
By Alex Kremer - Arival | September 14, 2018
Airbnb shook the travel world when it launched Experiences in the fall of 2016. Read More
TripAdvisor declares fake reviewer jail term a "landmark ruling"
News / Online
TripAdvisor declares fake reviewer jail term a "landmark ruling"
By Jill Menze | September 12, 2018
The owner of a fraudulent reviews business has been sentenced to prison and fined in what TripAdvisor considers a milestone for the internet. Read More
Research Spotlight: Do bots have a bright future?
News / Technology
Research Spotlight: Do bots have a bright future?
By Jill Menze | September 11, 2018
Once heralded as the Next Big Thing, chatbots seemed a promising solution for travel brands looking to personalize and streamline their customer service and marketing efforts. Read More
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